Planet-conscious Russians lace up for Green Marathon run

May 23 - Thousands of Russians have taken part in the Green Marathon, which saw them complete a 200-kilometres Olympic run and plant trees across the country.

The marathon (pictured below) took place in 42 cities including Moscow, Sochi and St Petersburg.

Sochi 2014 volunteers were among those who helped site almost 2,000 trees which will absorb more than 1,200 tons of carbon dioxide a year.

The initiative was part of the Billion Trees initiative (pictured top) which was implemented by the United Nations globally.

This represents a key part of Sochi's environmental strategy for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics the city is hosting in two years' time.

The Organising Committee has been working hard to ensure the Games are environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Sberbank, a Sochi 2014 general partner, organised the Green Marathon and its employees were among those who took part.

Nick Nuttall, United Nations Environment Programme spokesman, said: "The Green Marathon campaign is a great opportunity for everyone to take part in the marathon and get involved in the global environmental Billion Trees Campaign.

"We hope to see more 'green' campaigns and, as a result, thousands more trees planted before Sochi 2014.

"These events once again highlight the strong link between sport and the environment."

Dmitry Chernyshenko, the President and chief executive of Sochi 2014, added: "The Green Marathon is a great sports festival for the entire nation.

"We are grateful to our long-time partner, Sberbank of Russia, that provided an opportunity for everyone to take part, promoting a healthy lifestyle and encouraging all of us to look after the environment.

"Planting trees helps to create the 'green heritage' of the Games even today, and reaffirms our commitment to stage the Games in harmony with nature."

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Fact of the day

Hulking Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren is best known to movie fans for his role in the film Rocky IV in 1985. For the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta he was selected by the United States Olympic Committee as the team leader of the American modern pentathlon team. Though he attended the Games and marched with the US delegation in the Opening Ceremony, his role was largely honorary. It was bestowed on Lundgren as a result of the time he spent training with the team in preparation for his role in the film Pentathlon, where he starred as an East German Olympic gold medalist on the run from an abusive coach played by David Soul. As a result of the time he spent with the team, Lundgren became a major supporter of the campaign to keep modern pentathlon on the Olympic programme.

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